During the Spanish Civil War, Galatea operated alongside the German cruiser Deutschland and Italian large destroyers. These close encounters exposed her crew to ships that might become future opponents. After a Devonport refit, Galatea embarked Colonel Segismundo Casado at Gandia with his entourage and transferred them onward through another Royal Navy ship. Casado is identified as leader of the National Defence Council and commander of the Spanish Republican Army. The evacuation shows the political transport work that could fall to a Royal Navy cruiser.
Notable Point · 8:26-9:10
Spanish Civil War patrols and a Republican evacuation
Patrols in Spanish waters brought Galatea alongside possible future enemies before she embarked Segismundo Casado and his entourage at Gandia.